THE PURPOSE OF LIFE - FRUIT SHOULD BE GROWING ON YOUR TREE - CHRIST-LIKE CHARACTER TRAITS

Very few people have to endure mental strain in order to determine what kind of tree produces apples. If a man were to notice a particular tree in the park or in the forest or woods and there were maple leaves growing from the branches of the tree, it would seem almost absurd to label that man as being judgmental for calling the tree a maple tree. A tree that produces apples is an apple tree. A tree with maple leaves is called a maple tree. That's not being judgmental. That's just observation and reasoning at work. The absence or presence of fruit helps in determining the type of tree. So it is with a Christian tree, the absence or presence of certain fruit makes clear whether or not he or she is a Christian.

Through conflict the spiritual life is strengthened. Trials well borne will develop steadfastness of character and precious spiritual graces. The perfect fruit of faith, meekness, and love often matures best amid storm clouds and darkness.

Patience under trials will keep us from saying and doing those things which will injure our own souls and injure those with whom we associate. 

The opposition we meet may prove a benefit to us in many ways. If it is well borne, it will develop virtues which would never have appeared if the Christian had nothing to endure. And faith, patience, forbearance, heavenly mindedness, trust in Providence, and genuine sympathy with the erring, are the results of trial well borne. These are the graces of the Spirit, which bud, blossom, and bear fruit amid trials and adversity. Meekness, humility, and love always grow on the Christian tree. If the word is received into good and honest hearts, the obdurate soul will be subdued, and faith, grasping the promises, and relying upon Jesus, will prove triumphant. 

Trials patiently borne, blessings gratefully received, meekness, kindness, mercy, and love, habitually exhibited, are the lights that shine forth in the character before the world, revealing the contrast with the darkness that comes of the selfishness of the natural heart.  

This world is God's workshop, where He fashions us for the courts of heaven. He uses the planing knife upon our quivering hearts until the roughness and irregularities are removed and we are fitted for our proper places in the heavenly building. Through tribulation and distress the Christian becomes purified and strengthened, and develops a character after the model that Christ has given. 

Stay tuned for the next post in this study..

Isaiah 13:13/1 Peter 1:7, 4:12,13/James 1:12/Revelation 3:18/2 Timothy 2:3/

Romans 5:3/Mark 13:20,21/1 Peter 5:10

© 2013 Tyrone Keels
www.issues-of-life.com

                                                                                   

THE PURPOSE OF LIFE - COOPERATE WITH GOD IN THE FIRE

Are you someone who enjoys wasting money ? Do you like to spend lots of time doing things that amount to nothing ? More than likely, you will answer no. There are not many people who could truly find pleasure in devoting 100% of their resources, energy and time to investments with a potential gain of zero. The same thing can be said for God. His efforts for our salvation are not part of a fruitless adventure.

The fact that we are called upon to endure trial shows that the Lord Jesus sees in us something precious which He desires to develop. If He saw in us nothing whereby He might glorify His name, He would not spend time in refining us. He does not cast worthless stones into His furnace. It is valuable ore that He refines. The blacksmith puts the iron and steel into the fire that he may know what manner of metal they are. The Lord allows His chosen ones to be placed in the furnace of affliction to prove what temper they are of and whether they can be fashioned for His work.  

This world is the scene of our trials, our griefs, our sorrows. We are here to bear the test of God. The fire of the furnace is to kindle till our dross is consumed and we come forth as gold purified in the furnace of affliction

So long as we are in the world, we shall meet with adverse influences. There will be provocations to test the temper; and it is by meeting these in a right spirit that the Christian graces are developed. If Christ dwells in us, we shall be patient, kind, and forbearing, cheerful amid frets and irritations. Day by day and year by year we shall conquer self, and grow into a noble heroism. This is our allotted task; but it cannot be accomplished without help from Jesus, resolute decision, unwavering purpose, continual watchfulness, and unceasing prayer. Each one has a personal battle to fight. Not even God can make our characters noble or our lives useful, unless we become co‑workers with Him. Those who decline the struggle lose the strength and joy of victory.   

Stay tuned for the next post in this study..

Isaiah 13:13/1 Peter 1:7, 4:12,13/James 1:12/Revelation 3:18/2 Timothy 2:3/

Romans 5:3/Mark 13:20,21/1 Peter 5:10

© 2013 Tyrone Keels

                                                               www.issues-of-life.com  

WHY ME ? - THE PURPOSE OF LIFE - CRISIS REVEALS CHARACTER

Why me ? Why did this happen to me ? Have you ever asked that question or heard someone ask that question ? Sometimes there are circumstances that are beyond our control and we feel helpless because of it. It's even easy to forget that we are not the first nor are we the only ones to ever pass through whatever the experience is that we are going through. A Christian has the privilege of understanding why God allows trials in his or her life.

  It is because God is leading them that these things come upon them. Trials and obstacles are the Lord's chosen methods of discipline and His appointed conditions of success. He who reads the hearts of men knows their characters better than they themselves know them. He sees that some have powers and susceptibilities which, rightly directed, might be used in the advancement of His work. In His providence He brings these persons into different positions and varied circumstances that they may discover in their character the defects which have been concealed from their own knowledge. He gives them opportunity to correct these defects and to fit themselves for His service. Often He permits the fires of affliction to assail them that they may be purified. 

Trials come to us all to lead us to investigate our hearts, to see if they are purified from all that defiles. 

It is in mercy that the Lord reveals to men their hidden defects. He would have them critically examine the complicated emotions and motives of their own hearts, and detect that which is wrong, and modify their dispositions and refine their manners. God would have His servants become acquainted with their own hearts. In order to bring to them a true knowledge of their condition, He permits the fire of affliction to assail them, so that they may be purified. The trials of life are God's workmen to remove the impurities, infirmities, and roughness from our characters, and fit them for the society of pure, heavenly angels in glory. 

Stay tuned for the next post in this study..

1 Peter 1:7, 4:12,13/James 1:12/Revelation 3:18/2 Timothy 2:3/Romans 5:3/Mark 13:20,21/1 Peter 5:10

© 2013 Tyrone Keels

                                                              www.issues-of-life.com  

THE PURPOSE OF LIFE - DIFFICULTIES - OBSTACLES - TRIALS AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

It has been said that 90% of the trials and perplexities that so many worry over are either imaginary or brought upon themselves by their own wrong course of action. That's a stunning percentage. It suggests that human beings are mostly responsible for much of their own suffering. The bright side of this means that we can also do much towards our own relief from these things. Well what about the other 10% of the trials and perplexities that many worry over ? What is the source of these difficulties ? For those who are not in the habit of trusting God, praying to Him and relying upon Him for strength, the answer is unclear but for those live according to God's will, we know that our heavenly Father allows trials to come to us. He allows us to face setbacks, reversals and challenges as part of the life long process of Christlike character development. 

Many who sincerely consecrate their lives to God's service are surprised and disappointed to find themselves, as never before, confronted by obstacles and beset by trials and perplexities. They pray for Christlikeness of character, for a fitness for the Lord's work, and they are placed in circumstances that seem to call forth all the evil of their nature. Faults are revealed of which they did not even suspect the existence. Like Israel of old they question, "If God is leading us, why do all these things come upon us?"  

Many know very little of God's dealings with His people, but the most hopeless part of their experience is that they do not try to understand His dealings in these precious hours of probation. It is their privilege to know that His afflictions come for the object of purifying them from all evil. The Lord permits trials to come in order that we may look to Him as the source of our strength, and be cleansed from earthliness, from selfishness, from harshness, from sharp unchristlike traits of character. He suffers the deep waters of affliction to go over our souls in order that we may know Him and Jesus Christ whom He hath sent, in order that we may have deep heart‑longings to be cleansed from defilement, and to come forth from the trial purer, holier, and happier. We enter the furnace of trial with our souls darkened with selfishness, and if patient under the crucial test, we shall come forth reflecting the divine character. The Lord is able to deliver the godly out of temptation.

Stay tuned for the next post in this study..

1 Peter 1:7, 4:12,13/James 1:12/Revelation 3:18/2 Timothy 2:3/Romans 5:3/Mark 13:20,21/1 Peter 5:10

© 2013 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

THE PURPOSE OF LIFE - ONE THING THAT WILL NOT CHANGE WHEN CHRIST RETURNS

Change is occurring all the time no matter how any one person feels about it. The darkness of night becomes the light of a new day. Today is not yesterday and this year will end and never return. Someone brand new was born while we slept last night and yet someone lost a desperate struggle for life. Sometimes change is a good thing and sometimes it is not. It depends upon circumstances. Listen to the words of an inspired writer: To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: "A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted." (Ecclesiastes 3:1,2) There is a time scheduled for the return of Jesus Christ to this world. At that time, something will not change; something that human beings can do something about right now before He comes again. What is it you ask ? Character.  

Jesus does not change the character at His coming. The work of transformation must be done now. Our daily lives are determining our destiny. Defects of character must be repented of and overcome through the grace of Christ, and a symmetrical character must be formed while in this probationary state, that we may be fitted for the mansions above. 

The habits of speech, the character of our actions, put a mold upon us; and that which we cultivate in our association with others in this life, goes down into the grave with us, and will be unchanged when we come up from the grave. Many are deceiving themselves by thinking that the character will be transformed at the coming of Christ; but there will be no conversion of heart at his appearing. Death brings dissolution to the body, but makes no change in the character. The coming of Christ does not change our characters; it only fixes them forever beyond all change. When Christ shall come again to earth it will not be to purify and refine the characters of men, and to fit them for Heaven. His work then will only be to change their corruptible bodies and fashion them like unto Christ's most glorious body. The great aim and purpose of life is to cooperate with God in preparation for that time.

 

Stay tuned for the next post in this study..

Revelation 22:11,12/Philippians 3:20,21/1 Corinthians 15:52,53/Matthew 25:31-33/Daniel 12:3,10

© 2013 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

THE PURPOSE OF LIFE - A SECOND OPPORTUNITY THAT SHOULD NOT BE WASTED

It's an interesting fact that the word "if" appears in the Bible more than 1000 times and can be found in each of its 66 books. This fact highlights the conditional nature of God's promises to the faithful and of His threats to the wicked. In other words, the fulfillment of God's word to human beings is dependent upon choices that human beings make. Still don't believe it ? Read it for yourself in a sampling of the verses at the end of this post (1).

God created man for His own glory, that after test and trial the human family might become one with the heavenly family. It was God's purpose to repopulate heaven with the human family, if they would show themselves obedient to His every word. Adam was to be tested, to see whether he would be obedient, as the loyal angels, or disobedient. If he stood the test, his instruction to his children would have been only of loyalty. His mind and thoughts would have been as the mind and thoughts of God. His character would have been molded in accordance with the character of God. 

When Adam's sin had forfeited eternal life, at infinite cost God provided for the race a second probation. The time of probation is given us that we may perfect a character fit for eternity.In this life we are on probation, placed under test and trial to form characters for the future, immortal life. We are all to be tested here in this life to prove whether, if admitted to heaven, we shall repeat the same course that Satan pursued there. The present world is designed as a scene of probation for man. He is here to form a character which will pass with him into the eternal world. Good and evil are placed before him, and his future state depends upon the choice he makes. 

Ecclesiastes 12:13,14/Revelation 20:12,13/Hebrews 5:9 and 9:27/John 5:28,29/Psalms 18:32 and 138:8/Matthew 5:48/2 Corinthians 13:11/Ephesians 4:13/Colossians 1:28

Stay tuned for the next post in this study..

(1) SAMPLE OF IMPORTANT VERSES WITH THE WORD "IF"

Deuteronomy 4:29-31 and 8:19 and 28:1,2,9,15,58 and 30:10

Isaiah 58:9,10,13

Jeremiah 15:19

Ezekiel 3:19,21,33:8.9

Matthew 19:17,21

Mark 9:23

Romans 10:9

Matthew 6:14,15

John 13:17 and 14:15 and 15:14

Romans 8:13

Colossians 3:1

1 John 2:29

© 2013 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

THE PURPOSE OF LIFE - NO TRUE HAPPINESS WITHOUT GOODNESS

Is it possible for human beings to be happy without goodness and love ? Not according to God. It's not possible to enjoy true happiness without goodness and love. The world cannot enjoy freedom from sorrow and sadness until the cause of sorrow and sadness is removed from human hearts.  Many, as they look around in society and see some of the problems like violence, crime, poverty, racism, corruption, come to the wrong conclusion that these symptoms are the cause of the problems. The truth is that sadness, sorrow, suffering and sickness never existed until SIN took up residence in the human heart. Sin is the principle that God is working to deliver humanity from.

God desired to bring all peoples under His merciful rule. He desired that the earth should be filled with joy and peace. He created man for happiness, and He longs to fill human hearts with the peace of heaven.  Seeking the good of others is the way in which true happiness can be found. Man does not work against his own interest by loving God and his fellow men. The more unselfish his spirit, the happier he is, because he is fulfilling God's purpose for him. The breath of God is breathed through him, filling him with gladness. True and abiding happiness can never be derived from any human being. Our happiness comes not from what is around us, but from what is within us; not from what we have, but from what we are. Real happiness is found only in being good and doing good. Notice the Bible testimony about Jesus Christ:  How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. (Acts 10:38) God wants to and has the power to enable human beings to do good consistently and continuously. We have to understand that if we don't find it appealing, we could never be happy in heaven because in heaven goodness and love prevails for eternity.

Psalms 37:3,27,100:5/James 4:17/3 John 1:11/Galatians 6:10/John 5:28,29/Ecclesiastes 2:26

Stay tuned for the next post in this study..

© 2013 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

THE PURPOSE OF LIFE - CLOSE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

Have you ever been in a deeply, personal, close relationship with someone ? Do you know what it feels like to be so close to someone that you understand each other's thoughts ? That is the kind of relationship God wants with every human being. He wants to be so close to us that just like we are always in His thoughts, so He will always be at the center of our thought life.

From eternal ages it was God's purpose that every created being, from the bright and holy seraph to man, should be a temple for the indwelling of the Creator. God designed that the temple at Jerusalem should be a continual witness to the high destiny open to every soul.  

Because of sin, humanity ceased to be a temple for God. Darkened and defiled by evil, the heart of man no longer revealed the glory of the Divine One. But by the incarnation of the Son of God, the purpose of Heaven is fulfilled. God dwells in humanity, and through saving grace the heart of man becomes again His temple. 

Man, created for fellowship with God, can only in such fellowship find his real life and development. Created to find in God his highest joy, he can find in nothing else that which can quiet the cravings of the heart or satisfy the hunger and thirst of the soul. 

The Lord formed man for companionship, and He designs that we shall be imbued with the kind, loving nature of Christ and shall through association be bound together in close relationship as children of God, doing work for time and for eternity. Many misunderstand the object for which they were created. It was to bless humanity and glorify God, rather than to enjoy and glorify self.   

It is the Author of life that desires us to understand the purpose of life. He reveals that purpose in His word. Any theory or philosophy about life that fails to acknowledge the Creator's purpose for life will not fulfill the yearnings of the heart. 

Colossians 1:16/Acts 17:28/Ephesians 1:9,11, 2:10/Isaiah 43:7,21/Psalms 143:10/Matthew 7:21/Mark 3:35

Stay tuned for the next post in this study..

© 2013 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

THE PURPOSE OF LIFE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN LIVING IN THE MOMENT

Whether you're a CEO or unemployed job seeker or homeless, the purpose for life that God explains in the Bible will lift you above your present circumstances and place you where every human being who is connected with Christ has the potential to be. Paul the Apostle, understood that God's purpose for human life is centered in Jesus Christ. The true purpose of life was defined in the eternal past and that purpose has not changed. The Christian church, through the Christ-like characters of its members, is supposed to be revealing the purpose of life to the world. Notice what Paul says in the Bible, regarding this:

Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: (Ephesians 3:8-11)

According to the Bible, the purpose of God was revealed in Jesus before the world even began. Not only was the purpose of God revealed in Jesus Christ, but the idea of immortality was brought to light as well. The possibility of human beings becoming immortal is taught by the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: (2 Timothy 1:9,10) 

 Stay tuned for the next post in this study..

© 2013 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

THE PURPOSE OF LIFE - WHY HUMAN BEINGS WERE CREATED

Many do not know or understand what the purpose of life is. They plan their lives and live without giving much thought to the possibility that there is something of much greater significance for their existence than merely self service. The Giver and Author of life has something wonderful planned for every person who chooses to live according to the purpose for which he or she was created. God reveals the purpose of life in the Bible and He is speaking especially to those who have allowed Him to have the first place in their affections. Notice what Scripture teaches regarding God's purposes as they relate to human beings:           

1. WE ARE CREATED TO DO GOOD WORKS JUST LIKE JESUS CHRIST DID

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10) 

2. WE ARE CREATED FOR GOD'S PLEASURE; TO PLEASE GOD 

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11)

3. GOD'S PURPOSE IS THAT WE BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF JESUS CHRIST

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:28,29)

If the Bible tells us about God's purpose for human life, then what do you imagine should be the purpose of life in the minds of every human being ? Well, if we want to be in harmony with God, then we should have the same purpose for our lives that God has for our lives. 

To be fair this raises some interesting questions that we can answer in the next post. Why does God have these purposes for our lives ? What difference does it make whether or not I understand God's purpose for my life ? Is the true purpose of life only able to be defined by God ?

Stay tuned for the next post in this study..

© 2013 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

DESTROYING YOURSELF IS AGAINST THE LAW

Some people are very careful to avoid breaking any of society's laws. They understand that there are unpleasant consequences for those who do so. One of the strangest ironies about this is the fact that a vast majority of people in society are daily choosing to live in violation of God's laws as if there are no consequences. The Lord has made it a part of his plan that man's reaping shall be according to his sowing. And this is the explanation of the misery and suffering in our world, which is charged back upon God. The man who serves himself, and makes a god of his stomach, will reap that which is the sure result of the violation of nature's laws. He who abuses any organ of the body to gratify lustful appetites and debased passions will bear testimony to the same in his countenance. He has sown to fleshly lusts, and he will just as surely realize the consequence. He is like a hunted being; he is a slave to passion, the chains of which he is unwilling to break. And at last he is left of God, without conviction, without mercy, without hope, to destroy himself. He is left to the natural processes of corrupting practices which degrade him beneath the brute creation. His sinfulness has ruined the mechanism of the living machinery, and nature's laws, transgressed, become his tormentors.

When we do all we can on our part to have health, then may we expect that the blessed results will follow, and we can ask God in faith to bless our efforts for the preservation of health. He will then answer our prayer, if his name can be glorified thereby; but let all understand that they have a work to do. God will not work in a miraculous manner to preserve the health of persons who are taking a sure course to make themselves sick. Jesus intercedes for us in heaven and makes grace available for us to overcome self-destructive habits. May our heavenly Father lead us to repentance and give us strength to live in harmony with His laws of health.

1 Corinthians 6:20/10:31/Galatians 6:7,8
Proverbs 20:1/23:2,20-21/25:28/ Luke 21:34/1 Peter 2:11/

© 2013 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com